There are many fun and creative ways to use colored sand. You can purchase it, but letting kids help make it is a chance to build skills associated with pouring, mixing and measuring as well as an opportunity for a bit of family fun full of conversation and cooperation.

You’ll Need:

• Play Sand
• Food Coloring
• Baking Sheets
• Mixing Bowls
• Mixing Spoons

Instructions:

• Pour 1/2 a cup of sand in a mixing bowl.
• Add 1/4 teaspoon of food coloring.
• Mix until sand turns color.
• Spread the sand in a thin layer on a baking sheet and set it aside to dry.
• Repeat as needed with other colors.

Notes

• If you’re worried about your baking sheets, line them with aluminum foil before drying your sand.
• Use salt instead of sand.
• Instead of air drying the sand, you can pop it in a 300 degree oven for 15 or 20 minutes.
• If your colored sand gets wet, the color will transfer to hands and fabric. We used Liqua-Gel food coloring by Good Cooking and cleanup was pretty easy. Rowan’s bright red hands were a bit stained after a post-play washing and back to normal after a bath at the end of the day. (check out this article for general mess management tips)

Your colored sand ideas and experiences are welcome in the comments.

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